My February 5 Election Endorsements & Election Open Forum

January 17, 2008 Uncategorized 4

OK, it’s starting to get close to Election Day. And as such, I figured now would be a good time to talk with you about how we’re voting. Here at The Liberal OC we have no “editorial board” deciding endorsements, so don’t take this as official endorsements from the entire blog team. I’m just speaking for myself when I make these endorsements:

President: Hillary Clinton
Prop 91: NO
Prop 92: YES
Prop 93: NO
Props 94-97: NO

OK, so why did I make these choices? First, let’s start with Hillary. You know, I’ve come to realize that we will need to change course seriously on foreign policy, climate change, health care, the economy, and so much more to repair the damage that George W. Bush has caused on this nation. That’s why I think it’s so important that we have a President who will be ready, willing, and able to make all these changes happen. That’s why I choose Hillary. In my view, she’s the one who can best work with us to make change happen and accomplish great things.

And now, here are my thoughts on the initiatives. Prop 91 is unnecessary, as Prop 1D already took care of transportation funding in 2006. Prop 92, on the other hand, is desperately needed to help keep community college as an affordable option for higher education. Prop 93 is supposed to fix our problems in Sacramento by changing term limits, but our problems will never be solved if we don’t enact real redistricting reform and tougher anti-corruption measures (and just get rid of term limits altogether)… That’s why I’m voting no on that. And while I wholeheartedly support tribal sovereignty, I also wholeheartedly support labor rights and a fair deal for all Native American tribes here… That’s why I can’t vote for Props 94-97 (the gaming compacts).

So do you agree with me? Go ahead and talk to me. What do you endorse?;-)

4 Comments

  1. I agree on the Props, but not on Clinton. I don’t know what she will really be like if she were President because she strikes me as another politico. In a talk last month at the Commonwealth Club of California, Dr. Michael Mccoby described her as a “Marketing type” who is constantly reinventing herself to appeal to various interests. He wonders who she will work with or serve if she were President. I agree with his assessment. Of the major Democrat candidates, I think Obama is truly a voice for change.

    If you want to hear Dr. Mccoby’s talk, it’s available on fora.tv. His remarks on the candidates are in chapter 9, which can be jumped to on the right-side of the page.

    src: http://fora.tv/2007/12/06/Michael_Maccoby_Who_Should_We_Follow

  4. I posted this on another board on this site, but this is so important that I’m duplicating it here.

    PLEASE VOTE NO ON 92!!!

    Prop 92 sounds like a great thing: more funding for schools! Unfortunately, it would be a disaster for the state’s university systems (UC & CSU). Higher Education in the State of California is funded through the discretionary portion of the state’s budget; prop 92 wipe out a HUGE portion of that discretionary fund.
    I agree – affordable education is important. But this proposition promotes community colleges above ALL OTHER institutions.

    Between propositions that limit tax increases (like prop 13) and propositions that lock-in spending (like prop 92), the state’s finances have been destroyed. Have you been paying attention to horrible condition of the state’s budget? The proposed state budget for next year includes a cut to the CSU system equivalent to the *combined budget* of Cal State LA & Cal State Dominguez Hills. Do you see what that means? As it is – BEFORE the impact of prop 92 – the CSU is facing an existential budget threat.

    If prop 92 passes then it will mean even deeper cuts into the state’s discretionary spending. If you are the state government and are faced with cutting either police services, fire services, health service, or the CSU/UC systems, what would you cut? The debate has happened before. History shows that when the budget fails, the CSU & UC are the first on the chopping block. It happened in the late 70s & early 90s. It’s happening now. There’s a reason that prop 92 is opposed by the California Faculty association (CSU Faculty Union), the CSU Board of Trustees, the UC Regents, and the Academic Senates of both the UC & CSU.

    Are the “teachers unions” trying to protect their piece of the pie? YES! They are trying to keep the universities & k-12 schools intact! You’re right that the teacher (k-12) & faculty (UC/CSU) unions oppose this bill because they’re trying to save jobs. THE JOBS OF THE TEACHERS!!!! Who will teach your classes if the teachers and professors get laid-off?

    So think about it: Are you willing to sacrifice entire university campuses so that CC fees can be lowered $5/unit? How will your access to a college degree be affected when the the universities (the only place for BS/BA degrees!!!) has to layoff faculty and/or close campuses?

    I am a CSU professor and a card-carrying democrat. And I’m imploring you – please vote NO on this measure. I can virtually guarantee that if this measure passes, you will see massive layoffs of teachers from the CSUs. Am I worried for my job? yes. But remember, if this prop forces me to lose my job, then I won’t be there to teach YOU.

    We all agree that education is important, whether at the K-12, community college, or university level. However, let’s not pass a badly-designed piece of legislation that will promote one portion of our system while inflicting a mortal wound on the rest.

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